Level indicator for grain bins and the like



Jan. 30, 1962 J. c. HOFF LEVEL INDICATOR FOR GRAIN BINS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 23, 1959 INV EN TOR.

JEAN 0. HoFa A T TORNE Y-S United States Patent 3,019,310 LEVEL INDICATOR FOR GRAIN BINS AND THE LIKE Jean C. Hoff, Fergus Falls, Minn., assignor to Jenotf Inc., Fergus Falls, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Filed Nov. 23, 1959, Ser. No. 854,664 2 Claims. (Cl. 200--61.21)

This invention relates generally to grain storing and elevating equipment, and more particularly to a new and useful level indicator for grain bins and the like.

Generally, my invention employs a box-like housing secured near the top of a storage bin and having a vertically depending actuating blade pivotally secured within the housing, and means associated with said blade for energizing an alarm circuit when the blade is moved from its vertical gravity biased position by the rising level of grain in a storage bin.

An object of my invention is the provision of a device of the above described class which has an indicating blade that is biased to its normal non-actuating vertical posi-' tion by the action of gravity only, and thereforerequires no other re-setting mechanism to return it to its nonactuating position after it has been actuated by the flow of grain.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a level indicator for grain bins and the like which is constructed in such manner as to eliminate the problem normally present with such devices of the grain getting behind the actuating mechanism and blocking the alarming action of the device.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a level indicator for grain bins and the like which saves the user a great amount of time due to the fact that trips need not be repeatedly made to the top of the bin to view the grain level. An alarm is sounded by my invention which gives the user time to shut off the machinery be fore the bin overflows and the elevating equipment becomes clogged. This has the added advantage of allowing the workmen to remain in the working area wherever needed.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a level indicator for grain bins and the like which eliminates the dangers incident to plugged angers and elevators caused by overflowing bins, one of said dangers being loss by fire.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a level indicator for grain bins and the like which may be economically manufactured, is free of maintenance problems due to the use of a hermetically sealed mercury switch, and has an easily opening inspection cover thereon.

The above and still further objects of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification, appended claims and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

'FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of my novel device installed in its operative position, some parts broken away and some parts shown in section;

FIG. 2 is a view in top plan of my novel level indicator, some parts broken away and some parts shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a view in vertical section taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3, some parts thereof removed.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the reference letter A represents generally a grain storage bin and the letter B represents the cumulation of grain contained therein.

The reference numeral 1 represents generally my novel 3 ,019,3 1 0 Patented Jan. 30, 1962 ICE aperture 8 spaced upwardly therein for the reception of the circuit wiring and conduit, represented generally by the numeral 9.

Horizontally secured between said side portions 4 of said housing 2, and spaced near the top thereof, is a rod 10. A cover 11 is hingedly connected to said housing 2 by journalling the spaced depending side flanges 12 of said cover on the oppositely extending ends 13 of said rod 10. The cover 11 is thereby rendered rotatable about the axis of the rod 10 whereby the cover 11 may be easily raised to inspect the inside of housing 2. A vertically depending actuating blade, represented generally by the numeral 14, hangs from said rod 10.

The blade 14 is formed to define a cross-sectionally generally inverted U-shaped upper portion 15 having ,a

depending rear flange portion 16 spaced from and of a shorter length than the front actuating portion 17 of said blade 14. This difference in length of the spaced portions of said blade greatly reduces the force necessary to move said blade about said rod. The U portion 15 of said blade 14 hangs over said rod 10 and pivotally depends therefrom in a normally vertical gravity biased position.

The rear flange portion 16 of said blade 14 is formed to define a laterally projecting bracket 18 which has a clip 19 secured thereto for the snug reception of a conventional hermetically sealed mercury switch 20. The mercury switch 20 is secured to said blade 14 by the bracket 18 and clip 19 in a position establishing an open circuit when said blade 14 is in its normally gravity biased vertical position and establishing a closed alarm energizing circuit when said blade is urged out of its normally vertical position by the rising level of grain B in the bin A. The flexible wiring lines 21 running from said mercury switch 20 are connected to a suitable terminal plate 22 secured to the side portion 4 of said housing 2. The main circuit wires 9 connect also to said terminal plate 22 and to close the circuit the main wires 9 are thereafter connected to suitable warning mechanism, not shown.

The housing 2, blade 14, and cover 11 are preferably fabricated from a thin non-corrosive sheet material such as galvanized steel or aluminum. It will be obvious that it is the force of the rising level of grain B in the bin A that pushes the blade 14 out of its normally vertical gravity biased position and into its warning circuit actuating tilted position. Of course when the grain level resides, the blade will resume its vertical position due to the action of gravity, and the device will be thereafter in position for its alarming action upon refilling of the bin A.

This invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completely satisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects; and while I have shown a preferred embodiment thereof, 1 wish it to be specifically understood that same may be modified without departure from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A level indicator forgrain bins and the like comprising a housing secured near the top of the storage bin, said housing having an open bottom, a rear portion secured to the endwall of the bin and spaced side portions projecting forwardly from said rear portion, a horizontally disposed rod secured to and between said side portions in the upper and forward portions thereof, a cover for said housing having depending and spaced side flanges pivotally mounted near the forward portion thereof on 3 said rod for pivotal movements of said cover about said rod, a vertically depending actuating blade formed to define a cross-sectionally generally inverted U-shaped upper portion having a frontal actuating portion and a depending rear flange portion spaced from and of a shorter length than said frontal actuating portion, said actuating blade pivotally hanging over said rod for swinging movements thereon, and means associated with said blade for energizing an alarm circuit when said blade is urged away from its normally vertical gravity biased position by the rising level of grain in the bin, said energizing means comprising a mercury switch secured to said rear flange portion of said actuating blade in a position establishing an open circuit when said blade is in its normally vertical gravity biased position and establishing a closed alarm energizing circuit when said blade is urged out of its normally vertical position by the rising level of grain in the bin.

2. A level indicator for grain bins and the like comprising a housing secured near the top of a storage bin, said housing having an open bottom, a rear portion secured to the inner wall of the bin and spaced side portions projecting forwardly from said rear portion, a horizontally disposed rod secured to and between said side portions in the upper and forward portions thereof, a cover for said housing having depending and spaced side flanges pivotally mounted on said rod for pivotal movements of said cover about said rod between a closed covering position wherein the same depends angularly downward and out ward from the inner wall of said bin and a raised generally upstanding open position, a vertically depending actuating blade formed to define a cross-sectionally generally inverted U-shaped upper portion having a frontal actuating portion and a depending rear flange portion spaced from and of a shorter length than said frontal actuating portion, said actuating blade pivotally hanging over said rod for swinging movements thereof, and means associated with said blade for energizing an alarm circuit when said blade is urged away from its normally vertical gravity biased position by the rising level of grain in the bin, said energizing means comprising a mercury switch secured to said rear flange portion of said actuating blade in a position establishing an open circuit when said blade is in its normally vertical gravity biased position and establishing a closed alarm energizing circuit when said blade is urged out of its normally vertical position by the rising level of grain in the bin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,298,950 Hull Apr. 1, 1919 2,599,840 Keele et al. June 10, 1952 2,745,920 Keephart May 15, 1956 

